Australians are big on some common foods like steaks, sausages, chicken, and hamburgers grilled on the “barbie”. As well as they are HUGE on brunch and coffee culture. So they have some amazing cafes that will be beautiful just as they are delicious. Although there are a lot of other unique foods that they are known for. Therefore I provide the top 8 foods you need to try when you’re in Australia.
Australia is where I studied abroad for 5 months in college. While there I stayed with two different host families that made sure I had the full Aussie food experience. I believe I tried most of the classic dishes/ingredients to this massive island country. I was vegetarian my time there, but when I’m somewhere new I always try the local cuisine. However, Australia is really great about having plant based alternatives for some of these foods.
The one type of food you will not commonly find in Australia is Mexican food. At least compared to all the amazing and cheap Mexican restaurants in the US. There were hardly any in Australia and ones they did have were more fast food style.
So if you’re planning a trip to the land down under here are some of the iconic foods to try in Australia!
1. Meat pies
Savory pies are something I’d not heard of before going to Australia. They have meat pie stands on street fronts and sell them at convenient stores as handheld snacks. They are warm and flakey with a juicy inside. It wouldn’t be complete without a big or small squeeze of ketchup in top. Messy, but very convenient and tasty. Sausage rolls are also common and in the same vain.
2. Lamingtons
Lamingtons are little square sponge cakes that are dipped in chocolate and then coated in finely shredded coconut flakes. They are super light and airy and perfect to satisfy a sweet craving.
3. Tim Tams
What Oreos are to Americans, Tim Tams are to Australians. They are an Australian household classic and they are pretty amazing. It is essentially two shortbread biscuits that are put together with chocolate creme and then fully covered in a layer of chocolate. There are different flavors, like caramel and dark chocolate mint but chocolate is the OG.
4. Beetroot on a burger
Aussies like a thick slice of beetroot on their burger. This will be at most restaurants, but you can also buy fresh or canned beetroot at the grocery stores to make your own. It gives a nice contrasting flavor to the burger.
5. Kangaroo
Sadly yes, I did eat kangaroo. You can get it like any other meat at the grocery store as well as some restaurants. It’s typically eaten as a kangaroo steak, ground into burgers, or put in a stew. It’s extremely lean as it is almost fat free, therefore it can get tough and gamey tasting. Knowing how to cook it properly is key.
6. Barramundi
Barramundi is a white sea bass that is native to the waters around Australia. It’s mild in taste, taking on whatever flavors you add to it. It’s a delicious, light, and a healthy option!
7. Anzac Biscuits
Anzac Biscuits are cookies made from oats, flour, golden syrup, butter, baking soda, and water. They are thought to have come out of WWI. Wives would make these for soldiers abroad as they did not spoil easily. They’re very simple, but also very tasty. You can find them homemade at bakeries and they are also sold in packages at stores.
8. Vegemite
I saved this one for last because it is definitely an acquired taste. But it’s an Aussie staple, so you have to try Vegemite on toast with butter. The best way for me to describe it is a extremely salty and grainy paste. Try it on toast to get the full flavor, but also put it on a sandwich and it can balance out nicely.
